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100 East Northwestern Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19118 SSummer 2011E ASONVolume 40 SNumber 2

Seasons newsletter is printed ­­­on FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper, which supports the growth of responsible forest Photo: Judy Miller management worldwide through its international standards.

Garden Railway 2011 – Painted Ladies – Opening Saturday, May 28th

“Nobody seems to think of building a sober house!” a New York Times writer said of San Francisco in 1883. This summer, discover replicas of these glorious Victorian homes at the Morris ’s Railway Display. Clothed in happy, vibrant colors, Painted Ladies will transport you to San Francisco or Cape May – all within the magical setting of a miniature garden made entirely of natural materials.

Photo: Paul Busse B | m o r r i s a r b o r e t u m A Note from the Director C o n t e n t s Paul W. Meyer, The F. Otto Haas Director SEASONS Morris Arboretum of the University of Sacred Spaces at the 1 A Note from the Director Published quarterly as a benefit of membership. Inquiries concerning back issues, missing issues, or subscriptions Morris Arboretum should be addressed to the editor. 3 Words on Sacred Spaces

s an undergraduate at Smith College, Morris Arboretum intern Shea Available on microfilm. 4 New Horticulture Center Awarded Platinum Level Zwerver, was inspired by a visiting professor, Randolf Hester, and USPS: 349-830. ISSN: 0893-0546 ® POSTMASTER: Send form 3759 to Newsletter, LEED Certification his research on people’s perceptions of “sacred spaces.” Sacred spaces 100 East Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118. A 5 A Summer Saunter may be different things to different people, but generally are places that are Christine Pape, Editor special or have significant personal meaning in a community or in our case, a The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is 6 Go Out on a Limb for Your Next Special Event garden. They may be considered especially beautiful, enlivening, or simply a an educational institution that promotes an understanding quiet oasis. Perhaps, it may be the site of an important life event or a special of the important relationships between and 7 Annual Fund Update people. The Arboretum conducts three major activities – childhood memory, or the place where one shared a last visit with a loved one. horticultural display, public and professional education, and botanical and horticultural research. 9 New Penn Program Each of our nine interns is required to complete a special project during their Public Garden Hours: 10 Lydia Morris Legacy Society tenure that advances the goals of the Morris Arboretum. For Shea’s work, she Mon-Fri, 10-4 Sat/Sun, 10-5 (April - Oct.) 10 Another Way to Support Always Growing surveyed staff, volunteers and visitors about their personal sacred spaces at the Sat/Sun, 10-4 (Nov. - March) Arboretum. She found that after a little explanation of “sacred places,” those Thurs. 10-8:30 (June, July, August) 11 Spider Mites responding had strong ideas and attitudes about their sacred spaces. These Information: views can help guide us as we allocate resources and steward the Arboretum’s (215) 247-5777 12 Membership News www.morrisarboretum.org rich and varied landscapes. http://www.upenn.edu/paflora 13 Costa Rica and New Zealand Trips Many of the responses were as we might predict. The Arboretum’s central Guided Tours: 14 A “Green” Green feature, the garden was one favorite. A totally different and less prominent Photo: Nick Kelsh Every Sat/Sun, 2 p.m. landscape, the wetland, was another. But many of those responding cited Visitor Entrance: 15 Classes, Lectures and Seminars 100 East Northwestern Avenue between more obscure, small, quiet corners of the Arboretum as “their secret” sacred place. These included places well off the paved Germantown and Stenton Avenues in the 15 Summer Concert Series paths like the Japanese Hill and Garden, Lydia’s seat, tucked away overlooking the , and the rock outcrop Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia which presides over the Wissahickon. Unusual responses included the fish behind Gates Hall, the rock ruins behind These articles may not be reproduced in any form without 16 Summer Events the permission of the editor. the Katsura tree, the Baxter Memorial, the weeping hemlock in the far corner of the parking lot, the now deceased swamp white , and the squirrel scramble on Out on a Limb. Shea reports, “These responses were so interesting because people ©2011 Copyright by the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. 5500 / 5.11 / PM were very specific, they would say things such as: ‘Sitting under the Katsura tree, or sitting on the stone bridge down in the Photo: Keith Snyder .’” A few even expressed a reluctance to share their sacred place, because it is indeed so sacred to them that they want to keep it for themselves! You can read a sampling of visitor’s reflections on their sacred spaces on page 3. Arboretum Rentals Hold your special event in one of Philadelphia’s most beautiful settings. The Widener Center and Whatever the place, I have been struck by the intensity of the feelings evoked as people discuss their sacred space. It is clear surrounding grounds are available for weddings, that these spaces are a source of serenity, comfort or spiritual retreat for many. And it is a big part of why they love the parties, and private and corporate meetings up to Arboretum. For those of us who work at the Arboretum, both staff and volunteers, it is a validation of the importance of our 170 guests. For details contact Adele Waerig, Visitor Services Coordinator, at (215) 247-5777, ext. 158. work and mission. Though Shea’s intern project is complete, I would like to encourage the continuation of this dialogue on sacred spaces. I invite e-newsletter Would you like to receive our monthly e-newsletter you to visit http://morrisarboretum.blogspot.com/2011/05/sacred-spaces.html and share the story of your sacred place at the and other Arboretum updates via email? It’s a Arboretum and why it is important to you, your family and friends. We will all enjoy and learn from your experiences. great way for you to stay up-to-date on upcoming events, register online and help us save ! I give a big thanks to Shea for launching this project. It is one of many examples of how each year, each new class of interns Email [email protected] to be added. To address the problems of SPAM, many brings a fresh crop of ideas to the Arboretum. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and email systems now block or filter email that is not from a “safe sender.” Please add [email protected] and [email protected] to your list of accepted senders or friends list if you wish to receive this information.

Cover Photo – Paul Meyer

1 | m o r r i s a r b o r e t u m S e asons SUMMER 2011 | 2 W ords on S acred S paces at the A r b oretum

“The witchhazels remind me that life goes on even in the snow and ice.”

“I enjoy the free-standing green house – the clean smell, green colors, life everywhere. It is so peaceful.” “The step New Horticulture Center Awarded is my sacred space because it feels ® small and secret Platinum Level LEED Certification and still has water.”

he Morris Arboretum’s new Horticulture Center The newly-created Horticulture Center provides flexible has been awarded Platinum Level LEED® work space for the Arboretum’s horticulture, education, “I used to come to the Rose Certification, the highest rating of the US Green maintenance, and facilities staff, providing important T ® Garden to recuperate in Building Council (USGBC). LEED (Leadership in Energy infrastructure for staff and equipment. The 20,840-square- and Environmental Design) is the nation’s preeminent foot facility provides space for staff to manage their extensive the late 1950s. The center program for the design, construction and operation of high responsibilities for the Morris Arboretum’s 167-acre property fountain was dry, and I could performance green buildings. It is the first LEED® Platinum in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible. The sit there, sheltered from “The log cabin is special to certified building for the University of Pennsylvania, and complex features: the wind in winter cold. only the second in the state of Pennsylvania. me. I tell my grandchildren Virtually no one came to the • 24 office spaces it is Cinderella’s house and This highest level distinction from the US Green Building Arboretum in those days, • Two conference rooms ask them to run up and see so I had the entire place to Council signifies a great achievement for the Morris if she is home. She must myself. I was recuperating Arboretum. The complex utilizes modern sustainable • Kitchen energy and water management technologies, reflecting the be very busy since we have from Post Traumatic Stress stewardship and teaching intentions of Morris Arboretum’s • Break room not found her at home.” and I desperately needed founders, John and Lydia Morris. The Horticulture Center is • Men’s and women’s locker rooms solitude.” an exhibit of the best sustainable practices of our time. • Carpentry Shop “I have been anticipating this day for nearly 30 years. We are very grateful to all the many contributors to the Always • Storage for Arboretum vehicles including trucks, garden “The strong “The open spaces and long uninterrupted views are Growing Campaign that made this project possible, led by carts, lawn mowers and other large equipment history of the just as important as any “place” to provide rest and Dodo Hamilton, The Haas Family, Ed Rendell, former The Horticulture Center was designed by architects from metasequoias repose, and relief from visual stimulation.” Governor of The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Overland Partners of San Antonio, TX, Muscoe Martin of is fascinating. the William Penn Foundation. A project like this happens Philadelphia’s M2 Architecture, and Andropogon Associates, To stand in only with the dedicated commitment of a huge team of Morris Arboretum’s Philadelphia-based landscape planners the grove in individuals, planning and implementing the work. It is our for the Arboretum since 1977. The contractor for the project mid-summer is hope that this exhibit of sustainability will be of special was W.S. Cumby. The mechanical, electrical and plumbing spectacular.” interest to all of our visitors, but especially to architects and engineer was Bruce Brooks & Associates, and the site/civil planning design professionals,” said Paul Meyer, The F. Otto engineers were Hunt Engineering. Haas Director of Morris Arboretum.

3 | m o r r i s a r b o r e t u m Photos: Paul Meyer S e asons SUMMER 2011 | 4 Along the back side of the Garden Railway is a small A Summer Saunter collection of clethra, or summersweet, aptly named Anthony Aiello, The Gayle E. Maloney Director of Horticulture and Curator for their heady flowers that bloom in July and August. Among those planted in this area is Clethra barbinervis (Japanese clethra), a large shrub that has the added ow that summer is here, we tend to think of annuals Another equally at bonus of beautiful exfoliating bark and bright yellow- and perennials as the main seasonal interest in the home in sun and shade orange fall color. garden. But a stroll through the Arboretum will lead is Hydrangea quercifolia N One of the best summer plantings at the Arboretum is you to a number of trees and shrubs that bloom from June (oakleaf hydrangea). It the Russian sage ( ‘Little Spire’ – through August and even into September, providing plenty of is also growing in the Perovskia atriplicifolia shown at left) at the Step Fountain. The large masses of garden interest during the heat of the year. Teahouse and by the steps above the Rose Garden. Likewise native to grey-blue flower Starting in the parking lot, you will come across two the southern US, oakleaf hydrangea (above) is an excellent spikes provide varieties of Amur maackia (Maackia amurensis), Summer garden plant, well suited to a variety of landscapes. There a great show all Time and ‘Starburst’. has been an explosion of varieties in recent years. Look summer long. This Amur maackia (left) for smaller forms such as ‘Pee Wee’ and ‘Sikes Dwarf’, a is another plant is a tough Asian tree double-flowered form (‘Snowflake’), an tall upright variety that needs heat and valued for its cold with large flowers heads (Snow Queen), and if you like this dry conditions to hardiness and tolerance sort of thing, one with yellow leaves (Little Honey). flourish (also see of urban conditions. It Seasons, Summer has quietly interesting At the entrance to the Long Fountain you will find 2010*). copper-colored bark Hypericum ‘Hidcote’. The bright yellow flowers of this Finally, tucked and small creamy white St.-John’s-wort are two to three inches across, blooming in into a far corner of flowers in mid-summer. June and July, and are perfect for a bright location. These plants are great for attracting pollinators and given good the English Park, Outside the Widener drainage and full sun, are rewarding additions to the near where the Go Out on a Limb Education Center is mixed border. East Brook joins the Wissahickon Creek, are a group of one of the old standards deciduous native azaleas collected by Dr. Henry Skinner for Your Next of the summer garden, Flanking the entrance in the early 1950s. Most of these flower in early May, Hibiscus syriacus. Look for ‘Diana’ with its bright white to the Garden Railway but two of them make a great addition to any garden Special Event! flowers (below left) and ‘Minerva’ with its lavender flowers is bluebeard (Caryopteris for their summer flowers. These are roseshell azalea and dark red centers. These National Arboretum selections × clandonensis ‘First ( were bred for an extended period of summer bloom; Choice’ and ‘Inoveris’ prunifolium) re you looking for an extraordinary, memorable they have the added (Grand Bleu)), which with its orange- Asetting for your next party? advantage of being blooms in late summer red flowers in Host a sit-down dinner party for 20 or a cocktail party sterile so they do not with a profusion of July and August for 75 at the Arboretum’s award-winning Out on a seed around the garden. small blue flowers (for and sweet azalea Limb exhibit. Out on a Limb provides a dramatic, one- more information see (below right) As you pass through the of-a-kind backdrop for a gathering like none other. Seasons, Summer 2010*). (R. arborescens) shade of the Teahouse Your guests will experience trees and each other in a Caryopteris (right) is a with its intensely Woods, the large shrub whole new way – 50 feet up in the treetops. perfect plant for hot dry fragrant and near the Japanese bell is locations, and its rich blue flowers are a welcome sight creamy-white Special rates are available for dates in July and August. Aesculus parviflora. You at the end of a long hot August. flowers. Both of Please note, rentals are available for evenings only. will also find this plant these are a little For pricing, availability or more information, email thriving in full sun more exacting [email protected] or call (215) 247-5777, above the Rose Garden in their cultural requirements, needing a moist, well- ext. 136. A party Out on a Limb is one you and your – a rare instance where drained acidic soil, with protection from strong winds guests won’t soon forget! a shrub can tolerate or sun. But if you can provide those conditions, they both conditions equally. Native to the southeastern US, Photos: Paul Meyer will reward you amply. bottlebrush buckeye (right) needs plenty of space to grow, and is best admired at the Arboretum or used in So, if you need a break from the heat or summer, take a large properties. stroll through the Arboretum – you’ll be surprised what you might find!

5 | m o r r i s a r b o r e t u m (*Available online at www.morrisarboretum.org) S e asons SUMMER 2011 | 6 YOUR ANNUAL FUND QUESTIONS ANSWERED…

The Annual Fund is a yearly effort to raise unrestricted gifts capital gifts to meet the specific facilities needs and to specifically to help offset the Arboretum’s annual operating increase endowment. expenses. It is the Annual Fund that supports the budget for Who supports the Annual Fund? salaries and benefits for our staff with the remainder used Last year, hundreds of people, including current members, thank you!! to support equipment, maintenance and other operating trustees, volunteers and staff, who all believed in the costs. By supporting the Annual Fund, donors make the Arboretum’s mission and support its ideas contributed to the continuing growth at the Arboretum possible. Below Annual Fund. are some commonly asked questions about the Annual Fund. Please feel free to contact Shannon Makhija with ou did it! Last fall, the Arboretum announced the Lenfest Challenge to help Do corporations support the Annual Fund? any additional questions at (215) 247-5777, ext. 161 or Typically corporations contribute by matching their support the Annual Fund. This challenge was a pledge from Marguerite and [email protected]. employee’s gifts. The Arboretum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Gerry Lenfest to match up to $50,000 given to the Arboretum’s Annual Y organization, which means your gift is tax deductible. You Fund through new and increased gifts. This resulted in an overwhelming response Why doesn’t membership and admissions cover may be able to double or even triple your gift by submitting and strong support of the Annual Fund. Through the generosity of our donors, the all the operating expenses? the appropriate matching gift form (available from your Arboretum not only reached the goal of $50,000, but exceeded it, by raising a total Membership and admission dues only cover about 18% employer) along with your contribution. of $100,000 in new and increased gifts alone! We wish to extend a special thanks to of our annual expenses. The Annual Fund represents 37% Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest for their generosity and support of the mission and of the Arboretum’s contributed income within the annual How much should I give? goals of Morris Arboretum! operating budget. Only you can determine the amount you can give, but Why not just raise membership and admissions? please be as generous as possible, and consider joining or renewing your gift at one of the Annual Fund gift levels. Although increases are inevitable, the Arboretum strives to We have reached monumental milestones in growing the program, but we are not balance the need for revenue generation with our desire to there yet… In what ways can I make my gift? keep the Arboretum accessible to a wide audience. All gifts and pledges need to be fulfilled by June 30. 2010-2011 GOAL - $425,000 Are there other fundraising activities besides the The Arboretum accepts gifts of cash and marketable Annual Fund at the Arboretum? securities. Gifts of appreciated securities can be particularly $305,000 has been raised as of March 1, 2011! advantageous to donors. For details, please inquire. Yes. While members of the community are asked to participate in the Annual Fund, the Arboretum also engages in other fundraising activities. The Arboretum also seeks

$191,142 $398,742 $425,000 New and Total raised Goal Increased gifts

Your continued support of the Arboretum will help to preserve a place that means e hope you have made plans to attend the gala of the year, so much to us all! Every gift, of every size makes a difference. All gifts need to be Moonlight & , on Friday, June 10. It promises to be an received by June 30, 2011. Wevening to celebrate the Arboretum’s history and 30 years of Moonlight & Roses. The evening will also honor Elizabeth and John If you would like more information, please feel free to contact Shannon Makhija at Shober for their many years of service and leadership that have helped the (215) 247-5777, ext. 161 or [email protected]. Arboretum blossom. Reservations are required and space is very limited. For more information, visit www.morrisarboretumgala.org or contact Miriam Pinsker at (215) 247-5777, ext. 281.

7 | m o r r i s a r b o r e t u m S e asons SUMMER 2011 | 8 New Penn Tree Program Commemorates The Lydia Morris Legacy Society Each Graduating Class With its own Tree, Creating Lasting Memories through Endowment

Planted on Penn’s Campus Victoria Sicks – Associate Director, Individual & Planned Gifts

Susan Crane, Director of Marketing visit with Lee Laden is always Director of Marketing Susan Crane. Their first project was the Over the past two years, Bill and his wife, Kathie, have a pleasure – time spent with a funding and creation of a Morris Arboretum video. As Susan become ‘champions’ of the Arboretum, and continued their A warm and interesting hostess was developing the content, Steve met with a group of friends support, based on positive results initiated by Arboretum who has a true love and appreciation for and within two weeks had secured the funding! staff who planned new programming and initiatives to the Morris Arboretum. Her continued Lee and Steve became founding members of the Directors’ involve the Penn community. interest in many aspects of the Arboretum Photo Courtesy of Lee Laden Guild. At every opportunity, they championed the work of mission always shines through. As part of this effort, Hohns sponsored the Penn Tree Susan Crane and her team, including the identification of Program and thinks that “the program is simple, both in When Lee and her late husband Steve marketing initiatives as a central goal of the 2006 Strategic its concept and execution; without significant staff cost to moved to Mt. Airy in 1992, their Steve Laden Plan. The Laden’s support of Out on a Limb – a Tree the University or Arboretum; and, through the placement neighbor, Advisory Board Chair Ann Reed, suggested that Adventure exhibit grew out of their recognition of the need of distinctive trees over time, can dramatically influence she get involved at the Morris Arboretum. Lee remembered to attract new member families to the Morris Arboretum. the appearance of the campus while building pride for each bringing her children to the Arboretum with their nursery Steve Laden died in 2009 and the Arboretum lost a true graduating class year.” school friends in the 60s, so she took Ann’s suggestion and friend. Lee has created an endowment for Marketing in Steve’s completed the Guide Training Program in 1994. Lee has been Each year, the Arboretum in consultation with the memory that will be a lasting sign of his devotion to and a guide at the Morris Arboretum since that time. University Landscape Architect, will provide that year’s belief in the mission of the Arboretum. As Lee says, “When graduating class with a selection of 3-4 specimen trees, one Steve Laden’s active interest in the Morris Arboretum began Steve found a person or institution he really admired, he put of which would be selected by that class as their Penn Tree. when he sponsored an event that strengthened the relationship everything into that relationship.” The Arboretum community By engaging Morris Arboretum for the choices, the Senior Shown here are students joining Penn Staff for the inaugural between the Morris Arboretum and WHYY. Steve believed is deeply grateful to Lee for this extra measure of support Penn Tree Planting program. Class is assured that the urban and other requirements of the firmly in the need for a strong marketing effort and so he that demonstrates a firm commitment to the future of the Penn campus are carefully considered. This year, the Class joined the Marketing Committee and worked closely with Morris Arboretum. of 2011 voted on their class tree through an email voting n Saturday, April 2, Morris Arboretum Director, system. Over the course of two days, 850 seniors voted, and Paul Meyer and University Vice Presidents Marie selected the Legacy sugar (Acer saccharum ‘Legacy’) as OWitt and Anne Papageorge joined Penn students their “Penn Tree.” on the College Green to dedicate and plant a tree as part of Another great way to support Always Growing, a new program strengthening the link between Penn and The second component of the Penn Tree Program is that, the Morris Arboretum. The idea was to create a new Penn in addition to the tree planting on the Penn Campus the campaign for Morris Arboretum! tradition where each year a tree is planted and dedicated on each year, the Arboretum will either select an existing tree on its grounds, or where the selection of the campus the Penn campus in honor of the graduating Senior Class. n December 16, 2010, President Barack Obama To qualify, you must be at least 70½ and have assets in an Penn Tree conforms to the Arboretum’s environment and signed into law the Tax Relief, Unemployment IRA. Transfers must be made by your plan provider directly The Penn Tree Program is part of a larger effort spearheaded curatorial plans, may plant a companion tree on its grounds. Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of to the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. by Wharton alum, Bill Hohns who initiated a program The companion tree at the Arboretum will bear signage O 2010 which includes an extension through 2011 of the IRA To learn more about the IRA Charitable Rollover, please in 2008 to increase awareness of the Morris Arboretum dedicating the tree to each graduating class. among Penn students with an initial $15,000 gift to the Charitable Rollover. This legislation allows donors to transfer contact Victoria Sicks, Associate Director of Development at Arboretum. In a letter printed in the January/February issue And like the trees that will continue to grow, Bill Hohns up to $100,000 from an Individual Retirement Account (215) 247-5777, ext. 152 or via email at [email protected]. ends his letter to the Gazette with the following sentiment, (IRA) to a charity tax-free. of the Pennsylvania Gazette, Hohns addressed a contributor’s When a similar provision was in force in the period 2006 “And, like so many things, it all started with a “modest” gift, question (posed in a letter by Robert Rosenthal, W’60) if At any time during 2011, you should consider an IRA to 2009, a number of Morris Arboretum friends utilized the even a “modest” idea. This makes me believe that “modest” modest contributions from alumni make a difference (“Would Charitable Roll-over as an effective way to support the IRA Charitable Roll-over to support a garden restoration gifts, especially those that bring alumni back to their beloved $25,000 Help?”). “While the Editor addressed the question mission of the Morris Arboretum if: project like the Long Fountain or a specific endowment University and give of their time, collaborating with a staff with statistics that support the importance of “modest” that was of importance to them. Similar opportunities for that cares more than we realize, will continue to make the You do not need the IRA distribution that you are required contributions, the question goes deeper,” states Hohns, “one meaningful partnership exist today. This new provision can most difference of all and provide the ideas and seeds Penn to take, OR that more alumni should ponder.” Hohns contends that the indeed help you make a difference! so desperately needs to bloom ever more!” Arboretum suffered from the lack of a “champion to herald You do not itemize deductions but make charitable gifts, OR the resource (Morris Arboretum) among Penn students.” Your charitable gifts already equal 50% of your adjusted gross income. 9 | m o r r i s a r b o r e t u m S e asons SUMMER 2011 | 10 Membership News Summer at The Shop

e would like to thank the following businesses ummer is here and and non-profit organizations for their it’s not too late Wmembership support. To learn more about Sto start planning Corporate and Non-Profit Membership, please contact and planting a garden. Alison Thornton at (215) 247-5777, ext.105 or via email It’s also the best time at [email protected]. to teach your kids the joys of . In Corporate Hardy Garden ($100) fact, research has found Members Exclusively designed for that children are more libraries and healthcare than twice as likely to Rose Garden ($2,500) eat fruits and vegetables

Photo: Tracy Beerley organizations. Spider Mites of Garden Conifers The Simkiss Companies Friends of East when they are grown in their own backyard! Flecked and stippled appearances on needles Azalea Meadow ($1,000) Cheltenham Free Library Tracy Beerley – The John J. Willaman & Martha Haas Valentine Plant Protection Intern are common symptoms of mite damage. Land Concepts Friends of Elkins Park Free Find everything you Library need for your family’s English Park ($500) s summer color unfolds, our garden conifers provide larch and others. The adult mite is oval and about Friends of Huntingdon garden at The Shop. Bowman Properties, Ltd. us with beautiful contrasts and textures. Through the ½ mm long, and its color varies depending on the time of Valley Free Library You’ll find kid-sized Linda Corson Landscape gray of winter, conifers continue to provide us with year and current life stage. The two-spotted spider mite or Friends of the Glenside tools, gloves and A Architecture gardening books. There Photo: Zac Brooks color and contribute greatly to the picturesque landscape red spider, Tetranychus urticae, is a pest of conifers as well as Library Marano LLC of a winter wonderland. Unfortunately, unannounced and herbaceous plants and deciduous trees. The adult mite is Horsham Township is also an array of seed kits to help you plant a bird garden, unwanted pests are lurking, waiting for spring, when they ½ mm long, its color and the two dark spots on its back Magnolia Slope ($250) Library a butterfly garden or even a storybook garden with Princess may cause unsightly damage and possibly death to your vary depending on time since the last molt. Andropogon Associates Jenkintown Library and the Pea “peas” and Jack in the Beanstalk’s “beans.” Stop favorite garden conifer. Spider mites are common garden Arett Sales Corporation Narberth Community by soon and start planning for your best garden yet! Scouting for pests and disease before they cause damage is pests. They are also very tiny and often go undetected until Organic Gardening Library essential in successful gardening. To care for your conifers damage is severe. Raymond J. Tatlow Free Library of Springfield you should inspect trees for mite damage throughout the Company Township What are spider mites? These pests are in the eight-legged year, especially during egg hatch in spring and fall. A simple Friends of the Upper arachnid class with spiders and daddy-longlegs. Spider method to check for adult mite activity is to shake a branch Dublin Public Library Non-Profit mites have flexible, needle-like mouth parts that they use over a white piece of paper. Mites will appear as small, Upper Moreland Free The Compton Café – Your Members to pierce the surface of plant tissue so they can feed on the moving dark specks on the paper. A hand lens is also helpful Public Library New Garden Café Destination released fluids. This piercing behavior destroys the plants’ for identification. If a few mites are observed there is no Cottage Garden ($500) Friends of William Jeanes chlorophyll-bearing cells, creating a flecked or stippled need to panic, natural insect and mite predators should help The Hill at Whitemarsh Memorial Library Members and their guests are appearance. Symptoms appear first on the needle base, close to keep the population at manageable levels. Wissahickon Charter enjoying the new Compton Café to the trunk. Like most spiders, the mites exude silk to aid Herb Garden ($250) at the Morris Arboretum. Chef If you happen upon dozens of mites, you may want to School Library in their dispersal to neighboring trees. The webbing also American Society of Josh Hunter brings fine dining consider initiating an appropriate control before serious Wissahickon Valley Public traps dirt and debris, further exacerbating the appearance Landscape Architects and sustainable American damage occurs. Verified methods include spraying the Library – Main Library of the trees. In dry, warm and favorable growing Garden Club of cuisine to the Compton Café affected plant with water at high pressure or applying a Wissahickon Valley Public conditions, spider mites increase their rates of feeding and Philadelphia from his Zagat-rated Terrace horticultural soap. Use of water or horticultural soap allows Library – Ambler Branch reproduction. If mite populations are dense, conifer needles Street Bistro in Manayunk. you to reduce mite population without harming beneficial Meadow Garden ($150) will eventually turn brown and fall off prematurely, leading Compton was the name John insects that are important allies. Norristown Garden Club Photo: Bob Gutowski to the decline and eventual death of the tree. and Lydia Morris gave to their Sisters of St. Joseph – Conifer-feeding mites commonly become serious landscape home and garden, which today you know as the Morris The spruce spider mite, Oligonychus ununguis, is the most Assumption Hall pests on planted conifers that have received chemical Arboretum. Start your weekend at the Compton Café with serious pest of landscape conifers in our region. It is mostly pesticide applications. Pesticides are non-specific, resulting new weekend hours from 10am-2:30pm. Weekday hours a problem in the spring and fall, becoming apparent in dry, in the death of targeted and non targeted insects – an are 11am-2:30pm. Choose from our new menu of fresh, warm weather. Symptoms generally progress from the lower unwanted result we need to avoid. With attentive garden local gourmet food. New this year, our picnic dinners are branches upward, and fine webbing may be seen on affected eyes and cautious management you will be able to identify available for pre-order on concert nights (July 28, August branches. The mite has many conifer hosts including: and control mite populations properly. 4 &11). To order, call Andrea at (610) 247-8575 one day in spruce, arborvitae, juniper, hemlock, pine, fir, douglas-fir, advance. Visit soon and let us know how you fared.

11 | m o r r i s a r b o r e t u m S e asons SUMMER 2011 | 12 New Zealand A “GREEN” GREEN LAWN –

wenty members of the Morris Arboretum joined Sustainable for a Better Future Paul Meyer and his wife Debbie Rodgers on a three week tour of New Zealand last January. T Kim Frisbie – Freelance Writer less able to compete with weeds and slow to recuperate from Expertly led by Richard Lyon, a Landscape Architect injury. Aerating your lawn in the spring and fall will reduce who was born and raised in New Zealand but now k, now that spring has sprung, many of us are compaction, promote root development, and enable better lives with his family in Kennett Square, the group thinking about getting our lawns back into top absorption of nutrients and water, thereby diminishing runoff experienced wonderful hospitality in private gardens notch, pristine condition. Call the lawn care service, O into neighboring streams. as well as the scenic natural wonders of New Zealand. load up on bags of fertilizer and herbicides, get the mower Plans are being made for a Morris Arboretum return in running order….. WHOA!! Let’s stop a second and It is also important to test your soil before getting started to visit to New Zealand in 2013. reconsider. First of all, the majority of fertilizer and herbicide determine the pH. Your local extension office will probably runoff that is polluting our public water supplies comes from do it for free. Your lawn is only going to be as good as the

Top: Dramatic drifts of Agapanthus were in full bloom at home gardeners, not large scale farming operations. Second, a soil in which it grows, so knowing if it is acidic or alkaline Hortensia, the garden of Hugette Michel. certain amount of “weeds” are not necessarily a bad thing. For will enable you to add the proper soil amendments to correct Center: Woodbridge, the garden of Christine and Tony Peek example, every lawn should have some percentage of clover – imbalances, deficiencies or toxicities (acidic soils need lime, Photos: Ruth Pfeffer who are posing with the group. the nitrogen fixing bacteria they produce is essential for the alkaline soils need sulphur, etc.). As an example, dandelions Bottom: The stunning glacier carved landscapes of Doubtful well-being of the entire lawn. love a pH of about 7.5, Sound were a favorite of the group. Photos: Paul Meyer and Debbie Rodgers Clover is highly drought- while grass loves a pH of Costa Rica resistant, and its tiny white 6.5. So if your pH is 7.5 Ruth Pfeffer, Expert Birder flowers provide nectar for or higher, you’re giving the bees, which they in turn home field advantage to the n February 2011, the make into clover honey. dandelions, and your grass won’t really have a chance! Arboretum led an 11-day The smartest thing you Ibirding trip to Costa can do for your family, the Next, when mowing, keep Rica. I was joined by Morris Arboretum Education environment, and your your lawn a little on the Coordinator Jan McFarlan and fellow Expert Birder lawn is to rework your lawn high side. Never take off Rudy Zamora, on a trip to discover the diverse bird care program into a simpler more than 1/3 of the grass habitats of Costa Rica – a country with more species regimen. There are several blade. A longer grass blade of birds than the United States and Canada combined. basic steps you can follow to helps convert sunshine into Photo: Paul Meyer Some of the most memorable stops included the ensure a sustainable, “green” sugar which helps feed the Lankester Botanical Gardens with its world class lawn, without incorporating any toxic pollutants. First of all, lawn and encourages a stronger root system and thicker turf. collection of nearly 1,000 orchids, the Los Esquinas water your lawn less frequently, but at a greater depth. This Longer grass also shades out the weeds, put helps cool the Rainforest Lodge Gardens located deep in the Costa will encourage grass roots to search deeper into the soil for roots of your grass, meaning less watering! Also, don’t rake up Rican rainforest, and the Wilson Botanical Garden water, making them stronger and less likely to dry out your cuttings – grass clippings act as valuable mulch, adding home to an amazing collection of colorful bromeliads. during dry periods. Weed roots tend to be shallow. Lightly nutrients to the soil while preventing water evaporation on Whether the group was enjoying a river boat ride watering your lawn every other day simply encourages your really hot days. through the mangroves, taking in the view at Rancho grass roots to stay near the surface and compete with the Naturalista, or visiting the gardens of Savegre Lodge, weeds. If the top few inches of soil are bone dry, the weed Finally, we have to take a hard look at the chemicals in there was always an abundance of avian friends to seedlings up there will die while the more deeply rooted lawn care products – these are toxic to birds and beneficial be seen. Of the almost 900 hundred species of birds grass will still find moisture further down. Don’t water on a insects, not to mention children and pets. Exposure to lawn found in Costa Rica, 200 are migrants from North schedule – that won’t help in the war on weeds. Watch your and garden pesticides has been linked to leukemia, cancer, America, and many of them migrate through or nest grass – it will start to curl before it turns brown – that’s the kidney damage, genetic defects, asthma, and developmental in the wetlands, meadows, and wooded areas found at best time to water. and behavioral disorders. With this information in mind, the Arboretum. It was a great experience to see some we should all learn to tolerate a few weeds in our lawns. of these species in Costa Rica knowing that they The next step is to aerate your lawn. Soil compaction is Managing and lessening our irrigation helps avoid unnecessary would return to the Arboretum’s beautiful gardens in often confused with improper watering or lack of fertilizer, runoff into our streams and rivers, and ultimately our the spring. To learn more about this trip check out but it is caused when the top four inches of soil become drinking water. As environmental stewards, we must take http://morrisarboretum.blogspot.com/2011/05/costa- compressed, impeding the movement of air, water, and responsibility for our individual actions as they affect others – rica-birding.html. nutrients to the grass roots. This can lead to insect, pathogen, and understand that doing the least harm to the environment and nematode damage. The grass plants are stressed, they are or other individuals is always the best policy.

13 | m o r r i s a r b o r e t u m S e asons SUMMER 2011 | 14 Summer Concert Classes, Lectures Summer Information Please note, on summer concert and Seminars evenings, ALL CARS ENTERING Concerts Series – AFTER 4 PM will be charged a per- Save the Dates for Connections Beyond car parking fee instead of a per-person Groovin’ in the Garden admission in order to encourage Our Garden – Talks on People, Plants carpooling and accommodate more and Place and XPN Kids Corner visitors with the Arboretum’s limited Wednesday afternoons at 2pm – October 12th, parking. Join us this summer for more music in the garden! Pack November 9th and December 7th. Our mid-week Beech, Chestnut, Holly, Oak, Laurel, a picnic and a blanket or chair and relax in the beauty afternoon series continues this fall with three speakers and Katsura members are offered you won’t want to miss including writer, naturalist, of the Arboretum’s Azalea Meadow while enjoying some free parking for concerts as a benefit and historian Robert McCracken Peck, Curator of great musical entertainment. of membership. A valid membership (Beech and above) card and photo ID of the Academy of Art and Artifacts and Senior Fellow Groovin’ in the Garden with Plan B Jazz Band – must be shown at kiosk to park for free. Natural Sciences. A reception with refreshments will Thursday, July 28, 7pm follow each presentation and tours of the Arboretum Individual, Dual, Family, and Far- “Innovative” is the word that best describes Plan Away Friend members and Penn Card are available afterward. Reservations and payment are B – a contemporary smooth jazz band made up of Holders – Present a valid membership required in advance as space is limited. Members: $18 or Penn card at the entrance kiosk to Photo: Paul Meyer five talented musicians who were born and raised Non-members $20. Call (215) 247-5777, ext. 125 or receive a discounted parking rate of $10 in Philadelphia. Plan B incorporates new dynamics and email [email protected]. per carload. Please note: If you purchase energetic expressions into their songs – whether they a membership the night of the concert, summerevents Fall Classes return in September! are performing a popular cover tune, or some of their and have already paid the non-member J U N E beautiful gardens and landscape Each fall, the Morris Arboretum offers a wide selection highly requested originals. Free beer tastings sponsored admission fee, you will be reimbursed in full. Simply present your receipt when you for generations to come. Space of classes for both children and adults on topics by Flourtown Beverage from 6-7pm. Concert begins at Garden Railway Display sign up for membership. This is applicable is very limited. For tickets or ranging from horticulture and art, to inspiring trips to 7pm. Blankets or chairs are recommended. only on concert nights. Open daily through September 5 more information visit www. nearby gardens and natural areas. Look for your Fall See back cover for more General Concert Parking Fee morrisarboretumgala.org. Course Brochure to arrive in early August and check XPN Kids Corner Presents Alex Information information. our website for more information and the Kaleidoscope Band – A single member in a car qualifies it as Pennsylvania Train Weekend Garden Discovery Series www.morrisarboretum.org. Thursday, August 4, 6:30pm a member car and will qualify it for the 11 at the Garden Railway $10 fee. Per person admission fees will Saturday, June 4, 11am-3 pm With 14 national awards 4 Saturday and Sunday, June 11& 12, not be collected from non-members in Making Butter – Visit the Invasive Plant Conference 2011 – 10am-4pm Tools and Technology for Mapping, for excellence in children’s the vehicle. Cars with no members will Arboretum’s Springhouse (one entertainment, be charged a $30 parking fee in lieu of Celebrate Pennsylvania trains at the Managing and Mending Invaded Lands Alex & the of only a few remaining in Kaleidoscope Band uplift and per person admission fees. Arboretum! Learn the history of the August 3 and 4, 2011 at the US Fish and Philadelphia) and discover how it engage audiences of all ages with Pennsylvania railroads and see trains Service, National Conservation Training Center in Walk/Bike/SEPTA Fees was used to keep milk and other Non-member fees for concert nights: from lines that have run through their lively, interactive, and world-music perishables cool. While you’re Shepherdstown, West Virginia. $5 per individual, 3 years of age and Pennsylvania, such as B&O, infused performances. there, help make butter from cream Managing non-native invasive species to mitigate the up. (after 4 pm) No other coupons or Lackawanna, and the Pennsylvania discounts apply. Members who walk, using only a jar, some marbles and threat to the world’s biological diversity is getting XPN Kids Corner Presents Yosi & The Superdads – Railroad as well as Arboretum and more challenging. Our quality of life depends on the bike or take SEPTA will not be charged your muscles. Thursday, August 11, 6:30pm a fee. guest trains. health of our natural resources, but limited funding, Yosi & The Superdads ROCK kids & their families! Join Moonlight & Roses Gala human development, introduction of new species and To expedite service at the gate on Storytime at the the “Rockin’ Band” in this lively & humorous concerts Friday June 10, 6pm-Midnight complicated species interactions combine to make the concert nights: 10 Morris Arboretum featuring songs from Yosi’s multi-award-winning CD’s, Come celebrate the 30th 14 job tough. In this eighth Mid-Atlantic conference, • There will be a cash and members- Tuesday, June 14, 10:30-11am & latest CD, Super Kids Rock! Wiggle like a worm in a only lane. Cash is much faster to Anniversary of Moonlight & sponsored by the Morris Arboretum, the Mid-Atlantic Join us as we partner with the “Hole in The Ground.” Act like a ferocious “Dinosaur in process than credit cards. Roses! Enjoy cocktails in the Rose Invasive Plant Council, and other government William Jeanes Library on this new Love.” Enjoy a bowlful of “Chicken Noodle Soup.” Get • Membership cards will be required Garden and dinner and dancing agencies, attendees will not only obtain useful event. Toddlers and preschoolers are on a chugging “Train Medley” & make “Friend’s Around to receive discounted rates or free under the stars. This year’s background information on the issues surrounding this invited to our Children’s Outdoor The World!” Yosi’s music can be heard daily entrance. honorees are long-time Arboretum biological problem but will also learn about mapping Classroom to listen to fabulous on Sirius/XM • Gate attendants will not be able to friends and contributors, John and monitoring strategies, techniques for preventing look up your name if you do not have stories as told by a William Jeanes Satellite Radio. and Elizabeth Shober. Net the introduction and spread of invasive plants, and your membership card on hand for librarian. Take a walk after story www.YosiMusic.com proceeds from the event will go which herbicides are recommended for use in natural concerts. time and then have lunch in our toward the Arboretum’s Historic areas. For more information call (215) 247-5777, Thank you in advance for your café! In case of bad weather we will Preservation Endowment, to ext. 156 or email [email protected]. cooperation! gather inside. ensure the preservation of our

15 | m o r r i s a r b o r e t u m S e asons SUMMER 2011 | 16 Knowledgeable guides will point A u g u s t garden. Blankets or chairs out champions and discuss their are recommended. For more XPN Kids Corner Concert – Alex history and merits. information see p. 15. 4 and the Kaleidoscope Band Storytime at the Morris Thursday, August 4, 6:30pm Circus Week Encore at the 12 Arboretum Grab the kids and pack a 28 Garden Railway Tuesday, July 12, 10:30-11am picnic for an evening of fun August 28 - September 5 Join us as we partner with the and entertainment in the The first circus was held in William Jeanes Library on garden. Blankets or chairs Philadelphia in 1793. Come see this new event. Toddlers and are recommended. For more the Big Top and the circus trains, preschoolers are invited to our information see p. 15. learn the history of the circus and Children’s Outdoor Classroom to watch for a few surprises. Garden Discovery Series listen to fabulous stories as told by Saturday, August 6, 11am-3pm a William Jeanes librarian. Take 6 Made in the Shade – Find out why Photo: Paul Meyer a walk after story time and then S e p t e mb e r planting trees is a cool thing to have lunch in our café! In case of Photo: Dave Cavanaugh do. How much can a tree’s canopy The Give and Take Jugglers Train Enthusiasts’ Night Circus Week at the bad weather we will gather inside. lower the temperature? Sunday, September 4, 1-2pm Thursday, June 16, 5-8pm Garden Railway 4 16 26 Member’s Only Bring a Friend To celebrate Circus Week and Join us in the Upper Gallery of June 26 - July 4, daily 10am-4pm Storytime at the Don’t miss these for Free Night end the Garden Railway season the Widener Visitor Center to The first circus was held in 14 Morris Arboretum Thursday, July 14, 5-8pm 9 in “high style,” the Arboretum Fall events coming celebrate everything trains! Philadelphia in 1793. Come see Tuesday, August 9, 10:30-11am Members of all levels are invited is proud to present The Give in October! the Big Top and the circus trains, Join us as we partner with the Watch train club members, artists, to pack a picnic dinner or and Take Jugglers with Erica learn the history of the circus and William Jeanes Library on The Scarecrow Walk returns and train manufacturers take dine at the café. This is a great the Aerialist. Jugglers Dave and watch for a few surprises. Free this new event. Toddlers and 1 October 1 through October 16! over the Arboretum. Catch the opportunity to introduce a friend, Nick perform a family friendly with regular admission. preschoolers are invited to our Thirty original designer family or neighbor to the Morris show incorporating comedy and enthusiasm and come visit these Children’s Outdoor Classroom to scarecrows from the silly to the Arboretum for free on one special audience involvement. Erica will wonderful displays. J u l y listen to fabulous stories as told by spooky, will be displayed within evening. Members are welcome perform aerial acrobatics on free- a William Jeanes librarian. Take the beauty of the Arboretum’s Annual Beeches, Butterflies and “Treemendous Twos” – to bring more than one guest, standing rigging. a walk after story time and then fall garden. 30 Bugs Summer Evening 2 Morris Arboretum Celebrates but are asked to accompany have lunch in our café! In case of Grandparents Day Thursday, June 30, 5:30-7:30pm Out On A Limb’s 2nd Birthday! their guests to the Arboretum. Fall Festival bad weather we will gather inside. Sunday, September 11 Beech ($115) members and above Saturday, July 2, 11am-1pm Registration is NOT required. 11 2 Sunday, October 2, 11am-3pm BYOG (bring your own are invited to an exclusive evening Join us Saturday morning as we XPN Kids Corner Concert – Don’t miss this afternoon of nd Thomas the Tank Engine grandparent) to Morris of family fun. Author of Just celebrate the 2 anniversary of Yosi and the Superdads autumn fun that has become & Friends Weekend at the 11 Arboretum on National About a Year: All About Seasons, Out On a Limb with kid’s crafts 16 Thursday, August 11, 6:30pm an annual tradition for many Garden Railway Grandparents Day. Kids who Leslie Ehrin, will be on hand to and complimentary birthday cake Grab the kids and pack a families. Make your own Saturday and Sunday, July 16 & 17 bring a grandparent get $2 read her story and teach children at noon, while supplies last. picnic for an evening of fun scarecrow, paint a pumpkin, Come visit the Garden Railway off admission, making Youth about the seasons and months and entertainment in the sample different varieties of and see Thomas & Friends take admission $5. of the year through her detailed apples. Some activities have an over the tracks. illustrations. After Leslie tells her additional fee. enchanting story, all attendees will Summer Concert Series – receive a treasure map of different 28 Plan B Jazz Band plants and trees from her book Thursday, July 28, 7pm to find right here at the Morris Bring a picnic dinner and sit back Arboretum. Storytelling will begin Photo: Jaime Perez Photo: Jaime Perez and relax to the sounds of jazz at 6:00. Pack a picnic dinner or Great Trees at in the summer garden. Free beer dine in the Café. Invitations will Morris Arboretum tastings, sponsored by Flourtown admission be mailed to eligible members. Sundays in July at 1pm Beverage, from 6-7pm. Concert Adults (18 - 64yrs.) $16 Children (3 - 17yrs.) $7 Please register online by visiting Senior (65+yrs.) $14 Members FREE Meet in front of the Widener begins at 7pm. Blankets or chairs www.morrisarboretum.org or by Visitor Center and take a are recommended. For more calling (215) 247-5777, ext. 170. * Please note, Arboretum events are subject to change without notice. guided tour of the Great Trees information see p. 15. In the event of inclement weather, please check the website at at the Morris Arboretum. www.morrisarboretum.org for information or call (215) 247-5777, ext. 0.

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